want to start listening to the archers

[ilikeyourface]

Do I just jump in and start listening, whens it on and how often? Or do I download previous ones and have a binge listening set so I Understand? Thanks in advance

[Crikeyblimey]

I'd just jump in. Unless you plan to catch up on the last 50 years you might as well just get on with it.

Weeknights 7pm to 7.15 or the Sunday omnibus 10am to 11.15 (I iron whilst its on).

The thread on here will help you fill in the blanks.

[TypicaLibra]

Hmm, not really sure. I'd probably suggest you listen to the current episode, then check the who's who on the website to get a bit of an idea of each character, and take it from there.

I always thought the Archers was just something you 'fell' into listening, rather than 'chose', but go for it, it's good listening at the moment.

I remember when I started listening to it properly, it took me yonks to get my head round the different branches of the Archer family - I couldn't work out what relation the David / Shula / Elizabeth types were to the Jenny and Tony types!

[Cretaceous]

My mum had the Archer family tree on her kitchen wall.... she didn't make it up herself... it was actually published in a newspaper, perhaps for the 60th anniversary? And it also had short bios of some of the characters. There's probably one on the internet somewhere. Then you can just refer to it as and when you need to.

[Hassled]

I catch bits of it (usually doing the Sunday morning ironing as well!) but find it really hard to follow - there are a few characters I sort of know but then hoards of voices I just can't recognise. It's one of those things I really want to like but struggle with. Even if I've got that so and so is unexpectedly pregnant, or someone's mate seems to be taking over her wedding plans, I just can't work out who they all are in relation to each other/gauge how old they are etc.

[cuttingpicassostoenails]

There is a good fb group called Archers Appreciation which contains much humour, a bit of swearing and a lot of bitchery about the characters. Well worth joining if you like to shout at the radio and then moan to others who also shout at the radio.

[ZeroSomeGameThingy]

Come over to here! We'll ease you in. Quick before the new thread starts!

[TCforTopCat]

Ooh how lovely, definitely start to listen by just jumping in.
I also follow and very occasionally post on the Archers thread on here.
Also if you listen to the omnibus on a Sunday morning there are loads of people tweeting along on twitter, very entertaining

[Charlie01234]

Jump in! I did 3 1/2 years ago and I LOVE it. I download the podcast and listen when I'm driving. The family trees and bios on the website are great for filling in gaps and helping you understand who fits where!

[GrendelsMum]

We need to fill you in on who's who...

Pat and Tony Archer run Bridge (?) Farm, an organic farm and dairy. In theory, they are supposed to be retiring and handing over to their children, Tom and Helen. Tony has just bought a herd of beef cows without consulting any of the rest of the family - but the cows have turned out to have TB and one has died.
Their oldest son John died about 15 years ago in a freak tractor accident, and if you're feeling charitable you can put the family disfunctions down to that.
Their son Tom is obsessed by his sausage making business, and is furious with Tony. Tom is getting married to Kirsty, an old flame, having not that long ago split up with his long-term girlfriend Brenda.
Their daughter Helen is a manipulative nutter, and has just moved in with Rob Titchner, who we all suspect to be abusive. She has a young son, Henry.

Tom has just been on his stag night with his friend Roy, his employee Jazzer, his dad's cousin Kenton who runs the village pub, Helen's gay best friend Ian and Ian's partner Adam (who is also Tom and Helen's cousin), and the appalling Rob. God knows why he chose those people for his stag night, but he did.

Ian hates Rob and punched him in front of Bradley Wiggins last week.

The other key plot line at the moment is with Ruth and David Archer, who run Brookfields Farm. David is about 55 and Ruth is about 44 and has just discovered she is pregnant. They already have 3 kids, the oldest of whom (Pip) is at University, and the younger two are at home. Jill Archer, David's mum, is living with them at the moment because Ruth is a terrible cook and David seems to be unable to pick up a frying pan, and because Jill's house was burgled.

[MikeTheShite]

come join our mn thread.
I started by listening to a Sunday morning omnibus now its my fifteen minutes of me time a night.
im 24- and get some funny looks

[ZeroSomeGameThingy]

Gredelsmum That summary is just beautiful!

" Ian hates Rob and punched him in front of Bradley Wiggins last week. " is going to keep me happy until at least Easter.

[TypicaLibra]

Yes, great summary Gredelsmum ... heck, I must have missed that epi with Bradley Wiggins - and how fab that Ian punched Rob

[nettie]

I started listening a couple of weeks ago, after having tried years ago. I found it easier to listen to the sunday omnibus edition first, becaus it made it easier to work out who was who and follow the plot lines, but now I can listen to the short daily episodes.

Must admit am now completely addicted, even though I still get confused to who is who, even after looking at the bios on the bbc page. Going to look up the family tree think that was mentioned.

Jump in, it'll be nice to have a fellow newbie

[GrendelsMum]

Well, thanks very much!